site.btaUPDATED First Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 Fighter Jet Lands at Graf Ignatievo Air Base

The first F-16 Block 70 multirole fighter jet for the Bulgarian Air Force landed at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base near Plovdiv on Wednesday. The event was attended by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, among other officials.

Attending the ceremony, Zhelyazkov said: "This is not just a fighter jet, but a symbol and embodiment of Bulgaria’s strategic partnership with the US. A partnership that began during [Bulgarian] Prime Minister Borisov's government, during [US] President Trump's first term, continues today, along with the acquisition of capabilities for the Stryker infantry fighting vehicles and the Javelin anti-tank missiles. A partnership that offers a new perspective for the Bulgarian Army."

Defence Minister Zapryanov said that the event marks the beginning of a new era in Bulgarian Air Force’s capabilities. "We are beginning a new era in our air force capabilities. I wish success in flying. By the end of the year, we expect the remaining eight aircraft and nine pilots to be ready to fly," he added.

Bulgaria's Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, wished all the airbase’s personnel a quick mastery of the aircraft and operational success.

At end-January, Zapryanov said that the first F-16 aircraft would arrive in Bulgaria in early April, later confirming that the expected date was April 2. "The mere arrival of the aircraft does not immediately make it Bulgarian. There is a procedure that takes time. The official transfer of documents must be completed. The formal ceremony is scheduled for April 12," the Defence Minister explained.